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soon in readiness for him, and he was in a state to enjoy it, for he had not taken any nourishment during the day. He did not want any one to come to entertain him. In a state of bewildered astonishment he threw himself on his bed, where he slept soundly till morning.

His host called on him and gave his name as Brown, that he was captain of a vessel that then lay in port bound for the East Indies. "If you would like a berth on board I can accommodate you, but I should not like to make such a looking fellow as you a common sailor. If your name is Walter Bertram, I shall take the liberty to enroll you as Washington Axcelle."

"It is immaterial to me, Captain Brown, by what name I am called." "Then just keep your real name to yourself, sir, and I will make a man of

you yet, and you will have no occasion to wash the lamp post with your tears again. We are to have a sailor's levee to-night, and I wish you to be in attendance, Mr. Axcelle."

Walter drew a long breath, knowing that he had no means to make preparations to appear in public. As Captain Brown left the room he threw a purse of gold upon the table, saying, " Cheer up, my boy, there are better days coming."

Walter had never thought of being a sailor, but this new idea pleased him; he spent the day in making preparations for the evening. He was introduced to several of Captain Brown's men, and visited the vessel in which he hoped to sail in a few days, and be enabled to forget the past. Evening at length came; in company with several of his new comrades, he went to the place of

entertainment. Walter was at first bewildered by the brilliant appearance of everything. The hearty welcome he received from those present soon made him forget everything but the good cheer that was spread out before him; the party was not as large as he had expected, but more showy and brilliant, the tables were richly spread, around which old and young were sitting or standing. Music and dancing were soon introduced, in which all participated.

There were a few ladies present, as Walter thought them to be, richly dressed, but not in as good taste, he thought, as he had seen before. At first there was a reservedness that pleased him. But this was soon thrown aside, and a familiarity assumed that disgusted him. He was quick to see that he was not among the most chaste. As he became in

flated with the charged wines, his disgust lessened; though unaccustomed to scenes of licentiousness, it did not take long for him to become initiated in what a few hours before his nature revolted. He never possessed a reflecting mind, and we could not expect that he would have taken up a serious train of thought. His eyes now beheld strange women, and his heart uttered perverse things.

CHAPTER X.

THE DECEIVER AND THE DECEIVED.

"Farewell! that seal is set,

In life unbroken;

Thou hast with the heartless stranger met

With the quivering lip, the eyelid wet."

S.W. Stebbing.

WALTER had again looked upon the

wine when it was red, and was soon to receive its serpent-like sting; but the cloud over his mental vision was hourly becoming more dense, insomuch that it was impossible for him to see the monster encircling him in its crested folds. He saw not the forked tongue as it neared his vitals, and felt not the poison fangs, as it buried itself in the fountain of his moral existence, diffusing its poison in the deep recesses of his soul. The giddy dance went on, until the poisoned atmosphere dried up the last spring of self-respect. The debauch continued until late at night. At length Captain Brown drew near, and with a satanic smile, said, "Wake up, Axcelle; we are to take up a collection to settle this bill; set your name to this paper; never mind the sum; I'll pay that." Walter took that was

up the pen

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